tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72574791351250163012024-03-12T18:33:09.025-05:00The Lantz FamilyUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger161125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7257479135125016301.post-21822967585355760812011-07-11T16:15:00.000-05:002011-07-11T16:15:18.570-05:00new blogI decided to start a new blog for all things mom-wife-crafting-household, etc. I don't know what that means for this blog - if we'll try to keep up 2 of them or not - I just wanted to try out a new look and play around a little bit with a new layout, so here's the address. You can see some of the latest pics and the beginnings of my new "life" in blogging. Check out the recipe for chocolate peanut butter pudding parfaits, some pics of our house and of our 4th of July Family Reunion.<br />
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www.darcielantz.wordpress.com<br />
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Enjoy!<br />
~DarcieDarciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12544619240764583334noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7257479135125016301.post-17080365143598020582011-06-05T20:22:00.001-05:002011-06-05T20:23:56.476-05:00Trial and error... Marshmallow FondantSo, Heidi's 3rd birthday is quickly approaching. Quickly, as in, it's still over a month away, but if I don't plan, it won't happen. :-) <br />
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I've been wanting to learn cake decorating for about a year now. It's been on my "fun" to-do list to go over to the houses of some girls that are more well-versed in this area and learn from them... it's been on that list for the whole year, and I've done nothing about it. Well, I still haven't done anything about learning from someone else, but I thought I'd try it on my own while I'm house-bound with a 3-week old. I'd love to do something fun for Heidi's birthday, so here's where I started.<br />
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My first attempt was with marshmallow fondant. Never tried any kind of fondant before, but this looked the easiest. After a first attempt, I have to say it wasn't bad. Just took some trial and error and learning a few tricks on my own:<br />
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1. Knead it with your hands, even after you put the food coloring in. Your hands may get colored, but it's just easier.<br />
2. To roll it out with your rolling pin, put cooking oil on the rolling pin and on the surface you're rolling on so it won't stick to the surfaces. (frustrating)<br />
3. Allow yourself lots of time!<br />
4. I put regular jar frosting on the cake first to smooth out the surface, and it made the fondant lay out nicely on the cake without bumps.<br />
5. Remember to take a picture of your attempt BEFORE you serve it up and eat half of it!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg77yU8SdmXZvMLg0XKRchKdHkk5wAeZxSsioBlg2pincMzy7DdlfmiMltHKPAxOJGQ-8UtyGnvpSNzes6VYoXEVWExXnMwkvelASnEZ7cvzbkBGoWpQTTpPf5I447qGSSlGqm-0ccW9nGR/s1600/photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg77yU8SdmXZvMLg0XKRchKdHkk5wAeZxSsioBlg2pincMzy7DdlfmiMltHKPAxOJGQ-8UtyGnvpSNzes6VYoXEVWExXnMwkvelASnEZ7cvzbkBGoWpQTTpPf5I447qGSSlGqm-0ccW9nGR/s400/photo.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
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This cake had no theme or purpose, other than having 2 friends over to eat it, so it was basically playing with shapes and colors - I don't know what it was supposed to be. :-)<br />
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Let me know if you have questions, or if you're an expert I'll take your suggestions! The recipe I used is below:<br />
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<b>Marshmallow Fondant</b><br />
4 cups mini marshmallows<br />
2 Tbsp. water<br />
4 cups powdered sugar<br />
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Microwave marshmallows with water for 1 minute. Stir until smooth. Dump in all powdered sugar. Stir, then knead until all sugar is mixed in. Store wrapped in plastic wrap at room temperature until it cools. Knead in food coloring if you want to color it. See tip #2 above for rolling out. Cut out shapes with cookie cutters if you want.Darciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12544619240764583334noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7257479135125016301.post-86115885431721682142011-06-03T20:24:00.000-05:002011-06-03T20:24:31.209-05:00What to do, what to do...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I stole this idea from several different blogs that I follow. This was the easiest one to implement for me - I had an old frame I wasn't using, and some old origami paper that I've been saving for who knows what, so... ta dah! Here is our "Summer To Do" list to give us ideas when we're wondering how to fill our days. Some are for Heidi, some are for us to do for ourselves. It's not a long list, but I figured if we finish them all, we can make a new one halfway through the summer. Enjoy!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaEXF2g3-dtZZwYQ2iM-Q5G2J0oEA8d3SThCSThSUu6ia6I4H3msJhFnNT7ADzP2bIbXJRlWl_hu1rteSpjRPKPbJs3DfmrmbNoX0IZZben6ygqLDR6k-ZDRazH-j6WHHEaSAmmYieSefp/s1600/summertodo001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaEXF2g3-dtZZwYQ2iM-Q5G2J0oEA8d3SThCSThSUu6ia6I4H3msJhFnNT7ADzP2bIbXJRlWl_hu1rteSpjRPKPbJs3DfmrmbNoX0IZZben6ygqLDR6k-ZDRazH-j6WHHEaSAmmYieSefp/s400/summertodo001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(I put the origami paper inside the frame, then reassembled it with the glass, and wrote on the glass with a permanent marker. I scanned it on our scanner so you can't see the picture frame around the edge. We'll mark off our list with a dry-erase marker, then it all comes off with Windex or nail polish remover if you want to use the frame for another purpose.)</span></span></div>Darciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12544619240764583334noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7257479135125016301.post-54587075529954864492011-06-01T15:56:00.000-05:002011-06-01T15:56:04.645-05:002 weeks old and counting...I guess you get busy when you have a newborn. I had forgotten that. I've been meaning to post some updated pictures of the little guy, and we've even <i>taken</i> some pictures that we <i>could</i> post, we just haven't gotten to it. So, here are a couple of the latest:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5d0EQ_kxKD_kNLw1icG35VOujzqA6hXjc5uyNgFbQQaeiiTbgr0-0Asr4CdTVoZ2hJ3Hxy4seRJyoEQMjvMBWjaXfwfZhkWX3Zad1zEHtXgjEZ4kgEpVZkukALTFyMC544MNeIBdebgUH/s1600/DSCF1222small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5d0EQ_kxKD_kNLw1icG35VOujzqA6hXjc5uyNgFbQQaeiiTbgr0-0Asr4CdTVoZ2hJ3Hxy4seRJyoEQMjvMBWjaXfwfZhkWX3Zad1zEHtXgjEZ4kgEpVZkukALTFyMC544MNeIBdebgUH/s320/DSCF1222small.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Already chatting with his girlfriends on the iPhone.<br />
With Heidi, it was Facebook. With Joseph, looks like we're gonna<br />
have to give him a cell phone curfew.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSB4a7mngGTQh96JdjyDAno9Nz7QihFSOcjaGkT8S5rSnK2DPZJLAwn5h-dNNd1oKzKAy6TXxqBUWiHEVmHPuGWZbzXrOn8lBEGmFwmjdtz_gq74cO_9KZek5Xs0vHcp7RPu8p86qdmxBK/s1600/DSCF1228small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSB4a7mngGTQh96JdjyDAno9Nz7QihFSOcjaGkT8S5rSnK2DPZJLAwn5h-dNNd1oKzKAy6TXxqBUWiHEVmHPuGWZbzXrOn8lBEGmFwmjdtz_gq74cO_9KZek5Xs0vHcp7RPu8p86qdmxBK/s320/DSCF1228small.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After his second bath in the "big" tub. Can already tell a<br />
difference in the top photo and this one... gaining a little<br />
chub on that double chin!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
It's a lot of fun having a little boy. I didn't think it would be different when he was a newborn, because all babies seem the same, but it <i><b>is</b></i> different. Matt and I have both commented on how you automatically think a little girl is sweet, and you want to be careful with her and protect her and be "girly" with her. With a little boy, we've both found that we feel a sense of pride - we're proud of him, although he hasn't done anything of which we should be proud. He doesn't do much of anything at all (except he's good at crying). Maybe we're proud of the man he will become someday. Who <i>will</i> he be?Darciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12544619240764583334noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7257479135125016301.post-41437432024658629912011-05-16T15:43:00.000-05:002011-05-16T15:43:09.897-05:00Joseph Barrett Lantz - the name and its meaning<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div>As Matt has traveled to Israel over the past 5 years, he has learned one very important facet of the Hebrew culture that has influenced us a great deal as we have chosen names for our children: names are not just a means of identification, they are also a destiny. In other words, we have chosen names that don't just differentiate our children from other children, but names that characterize who we hope they become and what legacy we want them to leave behind. We also find names to be the best way to pray for our children in general. So, why did we name our son, Joseph Barrett Lantz?<br />
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<b><u>Joseph</u></b>: Truth be told, we had this name picked out for Heidi before we found out she was going to be a girl. Joseph has always been our first choice for a boy name for several reasons. First, Joseph is the name of all of my patriarchs going back 4 generations (the only exception being myself and my father, Larry). It is also one of the most popular names in our Lantz family ancestry. <br />
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Second, Joseph is a Hebrew name that carries the traditional meanings of "God increases" or "God continually adds". Rachel gave Joseph this name after God opened up her barren womb. Genesis 30:24 says, "She named him Joseph, saying, 'May the LORD give me another son.'" Given the meaning of the root word for 'give', <i>yawsef</i>, of which 'Joseph' is simply the future tense, it's not just that Rachel was asking for another baby (which she did eventually receive in Benjamin), she was also asking for the LORD to continually give her sons. She was asking for a legacy not just another baby. So, Darcie and I are hoping it's not just the name of our son, but the continued legacy of Lantz's who believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and follow Him in faith.<br />
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Third, we are praying that Joseph becomes the kind of man that the Scriptures describe Joseph the son of Jacob to be. Genesis 41:38 says, "And Pharaoh said to his servants, 'Can we find a man like this, in whom is the Spirit of God?'" In just one short sentence Pharaoh, a poly-theistic pagan, outlines the three qualities about Joseph that we pray for him to become: 1). that he would be a man 2). that the Spirit of God would reside in him and 3). those two facts would be evident to anyone who meets him - especially those who do not know the Lord. We would love for you to pray those things along with us.<br />
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<b><u>Barrett:</u></b> Because we chose Joseph as our little guy's first name, we thought it fitting to stick with a family name for his middle name as well. There were lots of good boy names on both sides of our family, and many men and women of integrity to choose from. We chose Barrett as his middle name after my (Darcie's) Grandma Dodge; it was her maiden name (Gwynne Irvin Barrett). Not only is it it a unique boy name, but it means "bear-like" or "bear-strength," and strength is something that we desire for our little boy to have in many areas of his life - strength of character, physical strength and spiritual strength. His great grandmother was a women of great strength, and was married to a man of the same quality. They were an example of strength in their devotion to one another during WWII and throughout their 50+ years of marriage and parenthood.<br />
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Do you know what your name means? Do you know why your parents selected that name for you? </div></div><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7257479135125016301.post-26682234827488067142011-05-13T15:27:00.000-05:002011-05-13T15:27:15.143-05:00Joseph is Born: How the Story Unfolded<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Well, it's been a BIG day! We've been looking forward to this for a long time now, but we were both expecting for Darcie to get induced, so Joseph coming on his own was a very pleasant surprise! Many are asking the story about how it happened, so here's a quick rundown on how the day unfolded for us.<br />
<a name='more'></a>10:00AM - Darcie visits her OB for her last appointment. She was still dilated at a 3 and the Dr. confirmed her to be induced on Tuesday. Darcie left the appointment fairly certain he wasn't coming before then.<br />
1:30PM - Nap time for Heidi means nap time for mommy. Only the nap didn't come so easily because she started having some mild contractions and cramps that she couldn't ignore. Needless to say, the nap didn't happen.<br />
5:45PM - Being the trooper that she is, Darcie dismissed her contractions and cramps fairly quickly & easily assuming they would go away just like others had days earlier.<br />
6:30PM - After eating dinner, the contractions had gotten 5 minutes apart (sometimes less) and become the much more intense. So, decided it was time to go to the hospital. So we picked up the house, showered (quickly), dropped off Heidi and made our way to the hospital.<br />
7:45PM - When we arrived at the hospital, Darcie was already dilated to 5 cm and, thankfully, they admitted us and the race began!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D88OPpJkqY4/Tc2QuZFdWUI/AAAAAAAABeE/u4Pm1UvZjjg/s1600/Josephs+Birth+Day+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D88OPpJkqY4/Tc2QuZFdWUI/AAAAAAAABeE/u4Pm1UvZjjg/s200/Josephs+Birth+Day+001.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>11:00PM - After a good solid 2 hours of some tough contractions, Darcie made friends with the anesthesiologist and got an epidural. She was dilated to a 7 by that point. As much as the pain abated with the epidural, it also slowed her progress just a bit.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oRFmZZnHNM8/Tc2RLQmhWuI/AAAAAAAABeI/LxS-qNPxQ8Q/s1600/Josephs+Birth+Day+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oRFmZZnHNM8/Tc2RLQmhWuI/AAAAAAAABeI/LxS-qNPxQ8Q/s200/Josephs+Birth+Day+003.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>1:40AM - Darcie's water breaks and she's dilated to a full 10 centimeters. The nurse tells her to make one practice push and Joseph starts to crown almost right away, so she had to hold off until the Dr. arrived.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xnoWo9Sc0Dc/Tc2RZvktrnI/AAAAAAAABeM/cEgDwppsJw4/s1600/Josephs+Birth+Day+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xnoWo9Sc0Dc/Tc2RZvktrnI/AAAAAAAABeM/cEgDwppsJw4/s200/Josephs+Birth+Day+004.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>2:00AM - Dr. arrives and Darcie begins to push.<br />
2:24AM - Joseph is born!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mtNScJDO440/Tc2R2RH_eSI/AAAAAAAABeQ/5a_vpALJWbI/s1600/Josephs+Birth+Day+025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mtNScJDO440/Tc2R2RH_eSI/AAAAAAAABeQ/5a_vpALJWbI/s200/Josephs+Birth+Day+025.jpg" width="200" /></a></div> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mmuuw-TIQVI/Tc2R4BCpEeI/AAAAAAAABeU/cebhOEXQMg8/s1600/Josephs+Birth+Day+005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mmuuw-TIQVI/Tc2R4BCpEeI/AAAAAAAABeU/cebhOEXQMg8/s200/Josephs+Birth+Day+005.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VwAKNHHtDMg/Tc2R6F92MFI/AAAAAAAABeY/jdPKpRBeo80/s1600/Josephs+Birth+Day+012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VwAKNHHtDMg/Tc2R6F92MFI/AAAAAAAABeY/jdPKpRBeo80/s200/Josephs+Birth+Day+012.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8YaOvPylZB8/Tc2R7zlw9bI/AAAAAAAABec/EVWpg2XgreQ/s1600/Josephs+Birth+Day+022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8YaOvPylZB8/Tc2R7zlw9bI/AAAAAAAABec/EVWpg2XgreQ/s200/Josephs+Birth+Day+022.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
5:30AM - We leave the labor and delivery room and make it to the room where we'll be staying the night. After more visits and checks from Dr's. we get a glorious hour of sleep. It's been a long time since either of us have pulled an all-nighter.<br />
6:30AM - More tests, more Dr. visits, and Joseph's first sunrise. The start of another BIG day.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_4Jl3EaFxSM/Tc2TQzthDdI/AAAAAAAABeg/jVcFxJaxxPA/s1600/Josephs+Birth+Day+Afternoon+008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_4Jl3EaFxSM/Tc2TQzthDdI/AAAAAAAABeg/jVcFxJaxxPA/s200/Josephs+Birth+Day+Afternoon+008.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
12:00PM - Nana, Pops, Jodie and Heidi come to the hospital. Heidi and Joseph meet each other for the first time as brother & sister over a great lunch from Stanley's BBQ (thanks Nana & Pops!)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ttKFs3BPvM0/Tc2TirzmZWI/AAAAAAAABek/HpXPKGGAOtQ/s1600/Josephs+Birth+Day+Afternoon+013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ttKFs3BPvM0/Tc2TirzmZWI/AAAAAAAABek/HpXPKGGAOtQ/s200/Josephs+Birth+Day+Afternoon+013.jpg" width="200" /></a></div> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-efwtoKG5hGs/Tc2Tk-LeONI/AAAAAAAABeo/hSnk1m8jDXo/s1600/Josephs+Birth+Day+Afternoon+011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-efwtoKG5hGs/Tc2Tk-LeONI/AAAAAAAABeo/hSnk1m8jDXo/s200/Josephs+Birth+Day+Afternoon+011.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
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2:00PM - Darcie celebrates no longer having gestational diabetes with the one thing she's craved the most her whole pregnancy: a sprinkled donut! Great job, babe. You did so well! Now it's time for a nap. :)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JXiNpfBohC0/Tc2T3-7soyI/AAAAAAAABes/h8l1YNywivk/s1600/Josephs+Birth+Day+Afternoon+024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JXiNpfBohC0/Tc2T3-7soyI/AAAAAAAABes/h8l1YNywivk/s200/Josephs+Birth+Day+Afternoon+024.jpg" width="200" /></a></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7257479135125016301.post-8701596967469794572011-05-12T21:11:00.000-05:002011-05-13T12:00:54.562-05:00Here Comes Baby Joseph!<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fi_tTTS57UQ/Tc1jxyAUmmI/AAAAAAAABd0/WP5Rg9TcGn4/s1600/photo-754563.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fi_tTTS57UQ/Tc1jxyAUmmI/AAAAAAAABd0/WP5Rg9TcGn4/s320/photo-754563.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606246818033998434" /></a></p>We are at the hospital! Baby Joseph is ready to come into the world! Darcie is dilated to a 5 and is doing great! Stay tuned...<p>He...could...go...all...the...way!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7257479135125016301.post-44108012848498704142011-04-22T17:05:00.000-05:002011-04-22T17:05:12.455-05:00Lantz Fam LatestA special thanks to JP for coming out to take pictures of our growing family. And we finally got photos with the dog! Baby Joseph is about 3 weeks away from making his arrival, so we'll take "newer new" family photos then, and hopefully our blog will get a design overhaul too!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBdjb79IDKOIGzHD8zeXMk0pD826ObzlrUMIcpDE5MdV01I0VBZ4VUQLjpeaW3-xzP0fGFtk0a1CYZjlKWe-wyhPw8XKoEcBH5r7ho8Vz8V6Ac9bJfM2UjPr8wtd10Gt_OKAYNTs4jeDqq/s1600/IMG_3089.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBdjb79IDKOIGzHD8zeXMk0pD826ObzlrUMIcpDE5MdV01I0VBZ4VUQLjpeaW3-xzP0fGFtk0a1CYZjlKWe-wyhPw8XKoEcBH5r7ho8Vz8V6Ac9bJfM2UjPr8wtd10Gt_OKAYNTs4jeDqq/s200/IMG_3089.jpg" width="133" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-7Ish3l1rJ1qQfZVZlEpatu_fNScrJMoL7B_j20sqrTal9bFtL00pra8Z71B8KdS_dVXK6AFWziP2zmCiKPqnp2FTVejNcadSRsiTgbKDgr_mN6o1AVC6gp1qCt0HWeRe4FTSYr2x4ec3/s1600/IMG_3096.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-7Ish3l1rJ1qQfZVZlEpatu_fNScrJMoL7B_j20sqrTal9bFtL00pra8Z71B8KdS_dVXK6AFWziP2zmCiKPqnp2FTVejNcadSRsiTgbKDgr_mN6o1AVC6gp1qCt0HWeRe4FTSYr2x4ec3/s200/IMG_3096.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our first portraits with Cinco!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl6L6pkfeUf4vV30N9j4J02qUefJNQ42zEKk6QyFICytn7sJCM-LVhgTTw4FQvkRkRXrTj2_cibRmMMXklqdE15m1pKwqynlAyIpepDfhDy3jf_DafyaMHdhz3spE4ZfqumtsL9UK9mEUA/s1600/IMG_3145.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl6L6pkfeUf4vV30N9j4J02qUefJNQ42zEKk6QyFICytn7sJCM-LVhgTTw4FQvkRkRXrTj2_cibRmMMXklqdE15m1pKwqynlAyIpepDfhDy3jf_DafyaMHdhz3spE4ZfqumtsL9UK9mEUA/s200/IMG_3145.jpg" width="133" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4rg99J1YPd6BHgl-6UC32MZPFLRELLk-PZFXqD5W_TbaT3OQREUcwd2eN2HyYdK3snYDBu0tOp-S-YY2fEKlwgXyMbV4M2cx8dLeOl5-ZzdCQuTgtVHxd27SnURyyWcn1GvGMmDuUB7Gi/s1600/IMG_3175.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4rg99J1YPd6BHgl-6UC32MZPFLRELLk-PZFXqD5W_TbaT3OQREUcwd2eN2HyYdK3snYDBu0tOp-S-YY2fEKlwgXyMbV4M2cx8dLeOl5-ZzdCQuTgtVHxd27SnURyyWcn1GvGMmDuUB7Gi/s320/IMG_3175.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivIBD_ySKrUumt6gdD8XX1sC306TWqCFUXjnxRCMikYDwkjzZStKXuG2hww6CAHiGCln_jbMYAYnrvyyS9i_q38hOFLPKbeyHJpHoOa2Gb3l_kLfcbSi5TQ342M8CT4ciAp7JM1TfayhQl/s1600/IMG_3205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivIBD_ySKrUumt6gdD8XX1sC306TWqCFUXjnxRCMikYDwkjzZStKXuG2hww6CAHiGCln_jbMYAYnrvyyS9i_q38hOFLPKbeyHJpHoOa2Gb3l_kLfcbSi5TQ342M8CT4ciAp7JM1TfayhQl/s200/IMG_3205.jpg" width="142" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg1kJZJZ6KGOZW9wUnBgoj5ZPkdbbqDR8-_aBYKUWhhf8VW6AkK2P7yQ81Bijhx9P5OF-G5XyR94qBG29TS_wgjLRLMqITfuqg_3I-Ow6PaTWblx8Am7HOLLL_hqenJtm_JraP3a97JLha/s1600/IMG_3220.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg1kJZJZ6KGOZW9wUnBgoj5ZPkdbbqDR8-_aBYKUWhhf8VW6AkK2P7yQ81Bijhx9P5OF-G5XyR94qBG29TS_wgjLRLMqITfuqg_3I-Ow6PaTWblx8Am7HOLLL_hqenJtm_JraP3a97JLha/s200/IMG_3220.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes, the curl on the front is natural,<br />
and I can't get it to do anything else.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRHemZjz33vQv_frJcmKTwr3acz8GczO7_SrF3MMRHfbVf9ceB-T2gDOmac7C-QFO5suT67QFq-8kARTUQHluMM02yOTUkzF5tjjme1gAFZnuvBGLpgkvERymDzkkPVEuCSXjpYHjuhE3V/s1600/IMG_3234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRHemZjz33vQv_frJcmKTwr3acz8GczO7_SrF3MMRHfbVf9ceB-T2gDOmac7C-QFO5suT67QFq-8kARTUQHluMM02yOTUkzF5tjjme1gAFZnuvBGLpgkvERymDzkkPVEuCSXjpYHjuhE3V/s200/IMG_3234.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2W1VjzH4zQljrE9SRc8oUfFXBPGLRrk5Aeu0Vlx7Dh-3YaMPiVqrFALbwTCUlKHJRKSaAhdWhsokFk8I82gmeWSTnAYo4OjL3cdO7giKpqU9L_eMRb4dj5yEDwT_Y0HcBS3f1HJFDhbkA/s1600/IMG_3252.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2W1VjzH4zQljrE9SRc8oUfFXBPGLRrk5Aeu0Vlx7Dh-3YaMPiVqrFALbwTCUlKHJRKSaAhdWhsokFk8I82gmeWSTnAYo4OjL3cdO7giKpqU9L_eMRb4dj5yEDwT_Y0HcBS3f1HJFDhbkA/s200/IMG_3252.jpg" width="133" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDka2-O3Kj8dXW2G_7EhLWFABPElTAoDEHjA-3ehZH3N82x3sPnJYmZvYX5nF9cOjS_nl_KCde_RaZNHidvb6K8GF4WLXRaEZJmajzHF4jxgSdAdy5hzxAI9p7XzS8B57jG9S851N3kVIJ/s1600/IMG_3266.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDka2-O3Kj8dXW2G_7EhLWFABPElTAoDEHjA-3ehZH3N82x3sPnJYmZvYX5nF9cOjS_nl_KCde_RaZNHidvb6K8GF4WLXRaEZJmajzHF4jxgSdAdy5hzxAI9p7XzS8B57jG9S851N3kVIJ/s200/IMG_3266.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHpwiliImFn4zH97vT5dfhG8wJ3eyt64pQpxSZlyWUGW-pnHMWbXi5_mP3drYClhOF4gbeIVarQXBXDBBNKQhIM1QhMOOmUWP55hKqoVWtt5B3ioT1lUY_Ut3Up0mqquPcHmzbdhTmuQ8f/s1600/IMG_3268cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHpwiliImFn4zH97vT5dfhG8wJ3eyt64pQpxSZlyWUGW-pnHMWbXi5_mP3drYClhOF4gbeIVarQXBXDBBNKQhIM1QhMOOmUWP55hKqoVWtt5B3ioT1lUY_Ut3Up0mqquPcHmzbdhTmuQ8f/s200/IMG_3268cropped.jpg" width="142" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBgR1_Y5VKAOY6Q1Gy5iYTsBxbgzArZmdKrhXadum4xe4QNYdWc26gWIegsI02P_NERkOXg4LRRwLnAnH0vHwU22JRzJmWpLxMjGD62A_hC01X5cd9AUUGM9zzD4e1CG2OfacncB2G53Bn/s1600/IMG_3276.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBgR1_Y5VKAOY6Q1Gy5iYTsBxbgzArZmdKrhXadum4xe4QNYdWc26gWIegsI02P_NERkOXg4LRRwLnAnH0vHwU22JRzJmWpLxMjGD62A_hC01X5cd9AUUGM9zzD4e1CG2OfacncB2G53Bn/s200/IMG_3276.jpg" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When we hug like this, Heidi loves to scoot<br />
in the middle and say "Best Hugs!"</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2wO-s1-_CMIx2EgbR-O1qwloAhOSN6aPAANDj5GZcaBt6hOUoQTYBm4mEJS2cLPGsY1OWoe0XEIXvN7czoCkOIPppUAnWwWOPNdllqKSb_o5D_zSup8tKWfF5UcGaH9hZSPPMgiamGSaN/s1600/IMG_3279.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2wO-s1-_CMIx2EgbR-O1qwloAhOSN6aPAANDj5GZcaBt6hOUoQTYBm4mEJS2cLPGsY1OWoe0XEIXvN7czoCkOIPppUAnWwWOPNdllqKSb_o5D_zSup8tKWfF5UcGaH9hZSPPMgiamGSaN/s200/IMG_3279.jpg" width="133" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIR2xgUwdQwY73sttUenEJ9YqgCE5AVDEIO6VeLSa7iESzCP1nPwC3VJbcqxwVDBb6srkIbcNKLumaQNeQx5ozWneP1EetvQ0U9hBmhJ6t4oVvJPFzww7-J6epTg26kGiuLO-grvWXSKLg/s1600/IMG_3318.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIR2xgUwdQwY73sttUenEJ9YqgCE5AVDEIO6VeLSa7iESzCP1nPwC3VJbcqxwVDBb6srkIbcNKLumaQNeQx5ozWneP1EetvQ0U9hBmhJ6t4oVvJPFzww7-J6epTg26kGiuLO-grvWXSKLg/s200/IMG_3318.jpg" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lovin' on her baby brother already</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFFiP8GS3YYu1g89XM3nim7L9VmUk0C6fR9YwPc-9R3dACj9pAaS_mEneGLicW8bQh10LOIXBqlTMeN2ynPYnZa_VA0Akumhs_kX0h-ow3Axco58SGbXtCsldhB7V5_AAJzargtRrT7rl-/s1600/IMG_3323.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFFiP8GS3YYu1g89XM3nim7L9VmUk0C6fR9YwPc-9R3dACj9pAaS_mEneGLicW8bQh10LOIXBqlTMeN2ynPYnZa_VA0Akumhs_kX0h-ow3Axco58SGbXtCsldhB7V5_AAJzargtRrT7rl-/s200/IMG_3323.jpg" width="133" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiISWX08zO_ZdtfFt4wJnB8dqg3DnEn0Tsj61TL-QUNZoNL2VyKD0u3AZAYSLG9K8akP5kQ0OloFbBhFprimNa0rNGSA1jmaOYcMEvC8JkpCMW6xqnVihrIAWJhQMFX8tYE5Ljpgi51r6oa/s1600/IMG_3328.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiISWX08zO_ZdtfFt4wJnB8dqg3DnEn0Tsj61TL-QUNZoNL2VyKD0u3AZAYSLG9K8akP5kQ0OloFbBhFprimNa0rNGSA1jmaOYcMEvC8JkpCMW6xqnVihrIAWJhQMFX8tYE5Ljpgi51r6oa/s200/IMG_3328.jpg" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of Matt's favorites</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0qHitwM8P-Q_AOfYt8gO-22xSg_Rqg9CiOCedfRsGNBGEZ2gq1fGi64_iFEqdemFeUXrkjYq6ws0CebcLr5Fh3UW3yMDKfmVZQYSMQ2Ds4WsLawDgbY1qwLcXBatrZMBEj7YtNmYMSUh8/s1600/IMG_3394.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0qHitwM8P-Q_AOfYt8gO-22xSg_Rqg9CiOCedfRsGNBGEZ2gq1fGi64_iFEqdemFeUXrkjYq6ws0CebcLr5Fh3UW3yMDKfmVZQYSMQ2Ds4WsLawDgbY1qwLcXBatrZMBEj7YtNmYMSUh8/s200/IMG_3394.jpg" width="133" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9UzWBaA0kBr2AqfqUgZcB8B0MoTAXA5nZ6aqur7QQrSMvMZbZV3GjKe4sNu0sk0rw2GT7RfqDUrTKZo8SvqqHnzwaiXSD3424bPxtBUx2yJlkYuH_Aw4TPflXOHcbqPTlhIOb54mUJzcz/s1600/IMG_3438.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9UzWBaA0kBr2AqfqUgZcB8B0MoTAXA5nZ6aqur7QQrSMvMZbZV3GjKe4sNu0sk0rw2GT7RfqDUrTKZo8SvqqHnzwaiXSD3424bPxtBUx2yJlkYuH_Aw4TPflXOHcbqPTlhIOb54mUJzcz/s200/IMG_3438.jpg" width="133" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipfFochqwJmAJ118llJ3mn2Qg74A5T0aE5UOypjbOFGnljSLgFlahDkzrUfL9FV9Dya8rk1QdDu7CXkICCr66E78MYygXsBYtcj7-RnezxS8IjCD-wJaq0FiGz9Pzu-1NnyOoIxWULdXo7/s1600/IMG_3443.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipfFochqwJmAJ118llJ3mn2Qg74A5T0aE5UOypjbOFGnljSLgFlahDkzrUfL9FV9Dya8rk1QdDu7CXkICCr66E78MYygXsBYtcj7-RnezxS8IjCD-wJaq0FiGz9Pzu-1NnyOoIxWULdXo7/s200/IMG_3443.jpg" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and my fake "basketball under the shirt" trick</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHyx3frM4VhRW2ILgIkJiKzdAACbdPvaki9SKxQ3Bqe0ZzL82Ur529cZpcyX9Wzb1cFCjlBl6yQ-YyAZxw-UZTHt4WkydGX61xGEpqZKAnBFMY5werUkkhn9n3KtXu_p6KGpcJEkMwT-lh/s1600/IMG_3453.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHyx3frM4VhRW2ILgIkJiKzdAACbdPvaki9SKxQ3Bqe0ZzL82Ur529cZpcyX9Wzb1cFCjlBl6yQ-YyAZxw-UZTHt4WkydGX61xGEpqZKAnBFMY5werUkkhn9n3KtXu_p6KGpcJEkMwT-lh/s200/IMG_3453.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiWa7n5-sfqLV5KyU8vNvlCkbfLyciEkm7lDg-5VwJ3cU_SQ37Vaj6-7DMlACtREYNLWM-FbTfo6OkS-4YkTCM-LRpHkYaDI2ZZw2Cfzueaa-Uee-sG5LOARd_O6x9LPofSf_JF-XIp1T7/s1600/IMG_3470.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiWa7n5-sfqLV5KyU8vNvlCkbfLyciEkm7lDg-5VwJ3cU_SQ37Vaj6-7DMlACtREYNLWM-FbTfo6OkS-4YkTCM-LRpHkYaDI2ZZw2Cfzueaa-Uee-sG5LOARd_O6x9LPofSf_JF-XIp1T7/s200/IMG_3470.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi24B9UvbuMwj7A15JRL_6aEeWA8sM3Y2mYOWxUn-xq0ttO_CYRP72VdTjTv0jHDSe0cv4F5yZJ3ohx3tMzN0ZeVLzMJ0haMWa4TwoWP2ewDzQ3tXzXv13Rq7xMJLR_vXvMXAlgw7zMfR5k/s1600/IMG_3494.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi24B9UvbuMwj7A15JRL_6aEeWA8sM3Y2mYOWxUn-xq0ttO_CYRP72VdTjTv0jHDSe0cv4F5yZJ3ohx3tMzN0ZeVLzMJ0haMWa4TwoWP2ewDzQ3tXzXv13Rq7xMJLR_vXvMXAlgw7zMfR5k/s200/IMG_3494.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of my favorites<br />
(Big shoes to fill, little one!)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXlqxSxQjLdAijipZI70OEewucuIxWxrD83Qb_n0NESYY2l8wBQ6NlsvxC2gAWvGAzKRWhg7S8asH7FwLXy3Fyrq6zHuROrLDDSO42EMd9QpXQ1xdZOoPi-W0QA0asVkXUV9jAWO0g4aaR/s1600/IMG_3500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXlqxSxQjLdAijipZI70OEewucuIxWxrD83Qb_n0NESYY2l8wBQ6NlsvxC2gAWvGAzKRWhg7S8asH7FwLXy3Fyrq6zHuROrLDDSO42EMd9QpXQ1xdZOoPi-W0QA0asVkXUV9jAWO0g4aaR/s200/IMG_3500.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_IPFHL1P90Boqs5azrxfkHKdgSUUeP1VyDF_R4RcqnEQvFD7J_80V2GDpkWYLwW6UhAT18NMmO2YIYxMFXw_mYOPkpkLzJsVc4sjrYZiWbdTQiG0-Jm8A1rKXJ0OyPABpNhHRloCfYtS6/s1600/IMG_3504.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_IPFHL1P90Boqs5azrxfkHKdgSUUeP1VyDF_R4RcqnEQvFD7J_80V2GDpkWYLwW6UhAT18NMmO2YIYxMFXw_mYOPkpkLzJsVc4sjrYZiWbdTQiG0-Jm8A1rKXJ0OyPABpNhHRloCfYtS6/s200/IMG_3504.jpg" width="133" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6wx7K0jo7LEjq1qvzxaeWwfulowQES_axAICPelXtUbtfPjMCkYbytyzSIE9tvSSAM3vkVr0L-9M900bqixrIO1HwQrTpYThY6SOStnmDQ06pI_YBIywr0NLU7A8LKk8ugYUEw_cRPJcI/s1600/IMG_3531.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6wx7K0jo7LEjq1qvzxaeWwfulowQES_axAICPelXtUbtfPjMCkYbytyzSIE9tvSSAM3vkVr0L-9M900bqixrIO1HwQrTpYThY6SOStnmDQ06pI_YBIywr0NLU7A8LKk8ugYUEw_cRPJcI/s200/IMG_3531.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Darciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12544619240764583334noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7257479135125016301.post-82077976179008615402011-03-16T21:21:00.000-05:002011-03-16T21:21:47.801-05:00A Little Bit of Heidi for DaddyThought you'd enjoy a snapshot of what we've been doing the past few days. We love you and miss you!<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3hX_f6WY_b9-jsK1rgrB4AF0sQnaUZp7CAjnnZo7QSgWCAFWhVxhe0vcwgZq7lKSeGtQWkhdI2Wpdctw0oZ_go7Csntthm9SqVMuE9lY8boPZ3RWd0Pz1roCAkb-wSbyAnKLgvmsi7BaE/s1600/photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3hX_f6WY_b9-jsK1rgrB4AF0sQnaUZp7CAjnnZo7QSgWCAFWhVxhe0vcwgZq7lKSeGtQWkhdI2Wpdctw0oZ_go7Csntthm9SqVMuE9lY8boPZ3RWd0Pz1roCAkb-wSbyAnKLgvmsi7BaE/s320/photo.jpg" width="237" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swinging at DeeDee's<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiK-4oRSd6iqYprUuADGld-HbmAZgRx8LGovDo354nSEefOm227WrAdwlbPqoCDmvckYYY_D_jhyphenhyphenFq1xIoNdzBjF4LMfUdAXqBHRAE0nEdBiyDe9i9nTnhCGLvybwikJqHRezzHuTDjoqR/s1600/photo2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiK-4oRSd6iqYprUuADGld-HbmAZgRx8LGovDo354nSEefOm227WrAdwlbPqoCDmvckYYY_D_jhyphenhyphenFq1xIoNdzBjF4LMfUdAXqBHRAE0nEdBiyDe9i9nTnhCGLvybwikJqHRezzHuTDjoqR/s320/photo2.jpg" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Helping Mommy and DeeDee make meatloaf</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dztNDcQghFFMQLIhyldiwgn3pNWMO27LLBnFIoUmtlOVFMSRjzI102BTxLfft9Rf2PwC9GXTpYbZu5VWyaI1Q' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Darciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12544619240764583334noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7257479135125016301.post-77030299811740006592011-03-08T14:48:00.000-06:002011-03-08T14:48:41.078-06:00It all ends tomorrow...So I can say, that officially, unless it is a VERY productive afternoon (and I can drive to Oklahoma and back) that I won't finish EVERYTHING on my 30 while 30 list, but I think I did pretty well.<br />
<br />
<b>I didn't:</b><br />
<br />
<ul><li>Finish by "book." (15 years and counting...)</li>
<li>Get family portraits made... yet! </li>
<li>Take a vacation with my girlfriends.</li>
<li>Build 3 woodworking projects - although I did 2, and a wood <i>painting</i> project.</li>
<li>Take our dog for a walk at least once a week. (lost that battle the first time I missed a week)</li>
<li>Finish reading through the Bible - although I joined a Bible study and we started over in Genesis.</li>
<li>Refresh my French speaking - although I did watch a couple of French movies.</li>
<li>Have 3 block parties - although we had at least 1.</li>
<li>Do something special for my parents. (does having another grandkid count?)</li>
<li>Visit Rich & Julie in Oklahoma...</li>
<li>... or get rid of one bad habit. (should have been more specific I guess)</li>
</ul><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjtiFKDmUlVKYmhTmz2tIWz7AsZK9oSE2Xnp4Coh63nJrSO33ZlDOc1OP7pQddSdWOQNKhy-bfOH7gZ67aSAgq2UCQY7JCg5uj5p4ffUnkMQYFXdxqGwW49K_PZnHpXbRrNjlNlJycXkXI/s1600/30by30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjtiFKDmUlVKYmhTmz2tIWz7AsZK9oSE2Xnp4Coh63nJrSO33ZlDOc1OP7pQddSdWOQNKhy-bfOH7gZ67aSAgq2UCQY7JCg5uj5p4ffUnkMQYFXdxqGwW49K_PZnHpXbRrNjlNlJycXkXI/s320/30by30.jpg" width="232" /></a></div><br />
<b>But I did:</b><br />
<br />
<ul><li>Read several books I hadn't planned on, including: The Unlikely Disciple, The Year of Living Biblically, 1/2 of Bonhoeffer, and the Mark of the Lion series.</li>
<li>Get pregnant and grow 7/9 of a baby... ?!</li>
<li>Decorate a new room for Heidi and redecorate the nursery for a baby boy</li>
<li>Go to Israel with Matt again</li>
<li>Play in the snow with Heidi at least 2 times</li>
<li>Go to San Diego with Matt for vacation - without Heidi!</li>
<li>Have Forge students/girls over for 2 movie nights and a girls' night out</li>
<li>Develop a wonderful, closer friendship with my neighbor Charis :-)</li>
<li>Replant my vegetable garden... again... and again</li>
<li>Visit Heidi's grandparents SEVERAL times</li>
<li>Learn how to make yummy bread without a bread machine... like, in the oven!</li>
<li>Spend almost every other night with my friend Jenn, and/or her roommates next door</li>
<li>Update the blog a little bit</li>
<li>Do lots of graphic design projects (ie - spend too many hours on the computer, like right now...)</li>
<li>... and I'm sure lots of other things I can't remember right now!</li>
</ul><div>Should I make a 31 list? Maybe I could just go to Baskin Robbins and try all 31 flavors?</div>Darciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12544619240764583334noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7257479135125016301.post-11162398105915894292011-03-04T17:06:00.000-06:002011-03-04T17:06:53.385-06:00#2, here we go...A few pics of the "new" nursery. If some of them look familiar, it's because they are! We did Heidi's nursery as a pretty generic room so it would be easy to change 'just in case.' Well, that paid off! We changed all the pink parts to blue or brown, and voila... done! Added a few touches just for baby boy too.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGukPRepQ_cwu_y1i6h80uI7NqOaL1tNhGawWGfXQRA8EIbQqVYDzwtkJaaoe5KCWGPBt_rt2zlpeCWA8y65Zo4HT63g0_T3Mh9wqRaRJYwODQ4fRhVahPOjL37SnR8EH77oRHHxe95dL0/s1600/DSC01035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGukPRepQ_cwu_y1i6h80uI7NqOaL1tNhGawWGfXQRA8EIbQqVYDzwtkJaaoe5KCWGPBt_rt2zlpeCWA8y65Zo4HT63g0_T3Mh9wqRaRJYwODQ4fRhVahPOjL37SnR8EH77oRHHxe95dL0/s320/DSC01035.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before - for Heidi</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVjEfGvldwfcsXJz3Hc449BbcfNRBX7elYMQB4Q5dS90f2FrMVxSXp7sHcxlhdezwfxXVFyJj-86gh4GOzt3PSEHYgBMCzkQbQZ1T6uY1c4clNg8YGDq9r1MC_0LyCWb-OvVSKkPmtbln1/s1600/DSCF1093.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVjEfGvldwfcsXJz3Hc449BbcfNRBX7elYMQB4Q5dS90f2FrMVxSXp7sHcxlhdezwfxXVFyJj-86gh4GOzt3PSEHYgBMCzkQbQZ1T6uY1c4clNg8YGDq9r1MC_0LyCWb-OvVSKkPmtbln1/s320/DSCF1093.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After - for Baby Boy</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgORGDyi2XQVFYjlAPq28xc54NIWHqqaL4mFp0PMW_E_-9kmAp51ScgwCGFslP9LrBDAGZme63VWfjWzL8DhlqZVNG4Gou6_VhgyLmJnBpUvUQdPQkh9D1ifErk0QLSWA4EBR0-iXY1mKH4/s1600/DSC01038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgORGDyi2XQVFYjlAPq28xc54NIWHqqaL4mFp0PMW_E_-9kmAp51ScgwCGFslP9LrBDAGZme63VWfjWzL8DhlqZVNG4Gou6_VhgyLmJnBpUvUQdPQkh9D1ifErk0QLSWA4EBR0-iXY1mKH4/s320/DSC01038.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before - for Heidi </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrUnJphuBHg_89ApHQJZE10Xe4NbzcafkJQJmk-amJl23wDmrUfToWa1xsSt_LT9n7lifM2JXU7HnOI0AXo1X-pBEZIdqBfPjv7U286z77xY_4uyUiXrenV_bQBRQpQgSjsYx9MbHqMhDJ/s1600/DSCF1097.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrUnJphuBHg_89ApHQJZE10Xe4NbzcafkJQJmk-amJl23wDmrUfToWa1xsSt_LT9n7lifM2JXU7HnOI0AXo1X-pBEZIdqBfPjv7U286z77xY_4uyUiXrenV_bQBRQpQgSjsYx9MbHqMhDJ/s320/DSCF1097.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After - for Baby Boy</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Also, we have a name for baby boy! We've known what we wanted to name him for a long time (since before Heidi)...<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b>Joseph Barrett Lantz</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Joseph is the name of many of Matt's patriarchs (grandfather, great grandfather...) and we decided we wanted to bring it back. It means "Jehovah increases" or "continuation" so it fits nicely. Barrett was Darcie's grandmother's maiden name (Gwynne Irvin Barrett). It means "bear-like" or "bear strength." Good for a manly little guy.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">We also found this verse as we were reading through the story of Joseph in the Old Testament. One of our prayers is that our little guy would grow up to be a man of integrity and wisdom like Joseph was in the Bible, and that he would have influence like Joseph did, so that someday, someone like Pharoah (a pagan) would say these words of him...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghg4dOZowMEmvkZIjgiRB5Cr509HbXAk6Bfcyf4k-lnwHsdliiRED2WMyA5mrTPZhxBYGsyiXB_4BkJcqFq7TLb5R1B8AdCsG45c43uKTCpVqaQXpYEaTsEMhyphenhyphenCQ_vug1yyziKOaLzsE-j/s1600/DSCF1095.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghg4dOZowMEmvkZIjgiRB5Cr509HbXAk6Bfcyf4k-lnwHsdliiRED2WMyA5mrTPZhxBYGsyiXB_4BkJcqFq7TLb5R1B8AdCsG45c43uKTCpVqaQXpYEaTsEMhyphenhyphenCQ_vug1yyziKOaLzsE-j/s320/DSCF1095.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Just 2+ months until we get to meet our little guy. We are really excited and praying for a healthy baby. We know he will change our lives!</div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLamdaXp37Waa9iiYd9tIg4nn3E-051v81vaITPCDPBs1mlDJ-qwGZ1sAoLHeAvXnggfmZhTNUAkkl3dDMcv8jclXHw74sBmLX-FOfEIMN6KV0P01Kd3Z_J_GerrkaCWaGZQ2HuX1Xaiz_/s1600/DSCF1098.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLamdaXp37Waa9iiYd9tIg4nn3E-051v81vaITPCDPBs1mlDJ-qwGZ1sAoLHeAvXnggfmZhTNUAkkl3dDMcv8jclXHw74sBmLX-FOfEIMN6KV0P01Kd3Z_J_GerrkaCWaGZQ2HuX1Xaiz_/s320/DSCF1098.jpg" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heidi also painted him a few pictures to match his room.<br />
She's slowly learning what it's going to mean to have a little brother...<br />
and be a BIG SISTER!</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Darciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12544619240764583334noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7257479135125016301.post-90219755238359105652011-01-21T09:21:00.000-06:002011-01-21T09:21:26.633-06:00Less than two months... 31.It goes by fast. In less than 2 months I'll be done with "30." How does that happen? In any case, I had to look at my list again and see how I'm doing. Not bad, I'd say, but there are a few on there that I already know I won't accomplish (haven't taken the dog for a walk in a month, so that one is out.)<br />
<br />
<br />
I have a few friends/family that want to help me with the "Get a massage" one, and participate with me. Anybody else want to help with the others? :-)<span id="goog_63017627"></span><span id="goog_63017628"></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB-9jSMYTXQFQAFe67QKFSa0HuqaRMQefw-mOc28xjrA6Vdr9E_es9bGmn_F4LRSdm80jgO-nOUOxSIQJv3GsA3NhFC4L_0U-oHLQwrd-39wo8cbhKlKZ-UoY_A4gX5Z6LxXu0W3T7vh7U/s1600/30by30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB-9jSMYTXQFQAFe67QKFSa0HuqaRMQefw-mOc28xjrA6Vdr9E_es9bGmn_F4LRSdm80jgO-nOUOxSIQJv3GsA3NhFC4L_0U-oHLQwrd-39wo8cbhKlKZ-UoY_A4gX5Z6LxXu0W3T7vh7U/s400/30by30.jpg" width="290" /></a></div>Darciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12544619240764583334noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7257479135125016301.post-57410472135327263792011-01-17T20:42:00.000-06:002011-01-17T20:42:19.156-06:00Big Changes at the Lantz HouseThe pictures will say it all...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjHxArW_U2tT0IERrgQZ0FBmOgaP8xGmUTfYwHZmXlhrDkkJzaY3CaljGj_29rS7SO-Ecbp2Fk9vA_gjdaM5Za9gCqCsm_46xUkZhoDtKd_l6asp-ksu86s_5Iom5sbOY8Rt5QEMpvf_dM/s1600/DSCF1005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjHxArW_U2tT0IERrgQZ0FBmOgaP8xGmUTfYwHZmXlhrDkkJzaY3CaljGj_29rS7SO-Ecbp2Fk9vA_gjdaM5Za9gCqCsm_46xUkZhoDtKd_l6asp-ksu86s_5Iom5sbOY8Rt5QEMpvf_dM/s320/DSCF1005.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Officially moved Heidi to her new "Big Girl Room."<br />
(Thanks Nana & Pops for your help last week!)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhctfPFQux8-P6_d2AosYbJEtGWVdrwhsB8qIXQtirez3weNOiZ1ns_j38DviNf_dOHFEhZaK7aaDItUz5PRC5bQXSIU_D4YLdgkp2lNeO9qTm04zzezrH_LDmTZMXKlU7Dw9xvpwVXWNVD/s1600/DSCF1007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhctfPFQux8-P6_d2AosYbJEtGWVdrwhsB8qIXQtirez3weNOiZ1ns_j38DviNf_dOHFEhZaK7aaDItUz5PRC5bQXSIU_D4YLdgkp2lNeO9qTm04zzezrH_LDmTZMXKlU7Dw9xvpwVXWNVD/s320/DSCF1007.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Newly painted dresser, new quilt set, and moved the decorations<br />
from her old room.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsETQCMucJCnrSXz2F5bsYRWVXt5fF__Dg62kHfV1pMgSyv8XSX6NR8nBqgT72eWVxpdyZw-KZNRHCLXY_8_BzxA7KMcikhZSnVkFD1T5BFXBl7woep5XgLW02BFDP0dsrUk9t6bFsLqj5/s1600/DSCF1009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsETQCMucJCnrSXz2F5bsYRWVXt5fF__Dg62kHfV1pMgSyv8XSX6NR8nBqgT72eWVxpdyZw-KZNRHCLXY_8_BzxA7KMcikhZSnVkFD1T5BFXBl7woep5XgLW02BFDP0dsrUk9t6bFsLqj5/s320/DSCF1009.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She LOVES her new bed. She wants to jump on it, have<br />
dance parties on it, play on it... and she even sleeps on it...<br />
sometimes.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZriNCa-7M16VbI-kuq7fknZ_y8iaXJ1CV_umPsEmjqCvNoo-X2tZgTaMxcgiUD3gCLvfUkdEA7h-ON8vwyG2mrvcDzuntdLwXxyKqsKkUeUfYXqkk-oDvwp1Qxb1aCjXJ8z4rsHD8kJZY/s1600/DSCF1011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZriNCa-7M16VbI-kuq7fknZ_y8iaXJ1CV_umPsEmjqCvNoo-X2tZgTaMxcgiUD3gCLvfUkdEA7h-ON8vwyG2mrvcDzuntdLwXxyKqsKkUeUfYXqkk-oDvwp1Qxb1aCjXJ8z4rsHD8kJZY/s320/DSCF1011.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Since the new bed/room has gone well, we're set to attempt the BIG ONE...<br />
Potty Training! Saturday through however long it takes! Here are some of the<br />
supplies we've stored up, along with lots of activities that will keep us close to<br />
the potty and at home all weekend. Wish us luck!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Darciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12544619240764583334noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7257479135125016301.post-33793484973996012002011-01-15T11:10:00.000-06:002011-01-15T11:10:43.082-06:00Heritage...Dear Grandpa Emmerich,<br />
<br />
I know you're not around to read this, but I felt like I should write it anyway. I've been thinking about you a lot lately as Matt and I prepare for Baby #2. The reason is this...<br />
<br />
In about 1952, you got some furniture when you were stationed in Germany with the Army. I'm guessing my mom, Dale, was about 2 years old then. I have no idea in which room you used this furniture, or if there were other pieces with it.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVWkLkDhKqhc9AI9iORu0V87EtKwUhUXo3rFBiA-q_kNGLn7knYo1yc_yrsoEkaRAbI4IULJsBUZMMaj55rcST6VNOTSMVsI5KbaBqPHLa9Snij-d5QgwWg442cAYbJkqJqOMzwym2S1_m/s1600/Tag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVWkLkDhKqhc9AI9iORu0V87EtKwUhUXo3rFBiA-q_kNGLn7knYo1yc_yrsoEkaRAbI4IULJsBUZMMaj55rcST6VNOTSMVsI5KbaBqPHLa9Snij-d5QgwWg442cAYbJkqJqOMzwym2S1_m/s320/Tag.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
My mom tells me that your daughter, Dorothy (my aunt), refinished the furniture for you and Grandma, maybe sometime in the 70's? It's now 2011 and I just finished refinishing that dresser and nightstand that you owned back in the 1950's in Germany.<br />
<br />
I've been thinking about you because you loved to work with wood: building, carving, shaping, forming - and I can only hope to become half the carpenter and woodworker that you were. I've started quite a collection of tools. :-) <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtc0OeSzMhOrrF0yppx0irO_jzWYKwafYl4j5M8WjV1yKowRtS5sKLBxUexs4sWKfejC5PJL_3-vHyOIucX6VfUNplmmnTTHgeVas0DO_iBSzlGIkceAJ-VIXNxb_zseCY1G4Bo6Kci9eW/s1600/Nightstand.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtc0OeSzMhOrrF0yppx0irO_jzWYKwafYl4j5M8WjV1yKowRtS5sKLBxUexs4sWKfejC5PJL_3-vHyOIucX6VfUNplmmnTTHgeVas0DO_iBSzlGIkceAJ-VIXNxb_zseCY1G4Bo6Kci9eW/s320/Nightstand.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I hope that you'd be proud that the furniture you got in the military was well-used by your family, refinished by your daughter, re-refinished by your granddaughter and will now be used in your great-granddaughter's room as we prepare the baby nursery for your new great-grandson. I think you would be proud to know that even the girls in your family are holding up the hand-craftedness gene that you had. Maybe someday Heidi will refinish the furniture to match her house when she is a mommy.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_6r8Jy6PNSK_pP0nuwgGIdRbjUK7QV9EyLe8apblNEiJDfvze68XD4EJw0zW9qzD44owUO-HWMXYs7qCsQqa1hbbjHNnAdxuVeJ3N-l0sGqta3LYH95vDj_TUyP02qbwEIzrTgXSGvFB2/s1600/Dresser.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_6r8Jy6PNSK_pP0nuwgGIdRbjUK7QV9EyLe8apblNEiJDfvze68XD4EJw0zW9qzD44owUO-HWMXYs7qCsQqa1hbbjHNnAdxuVeJ3N-l0sGqta3LYH95vDj_TUyP02qbwEIzrTgXSGvFB2/s320/Dresser.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Thanks for your dedication to your family and for loving your daughters. They've passed it on to me and there's a whole new generation that will have your heritage.<br />
<br />
Love, Your Granddaughter,<br />
DarcieDarciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12544619240764583334noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7257479135125016301.post-80050454095598886422011-01-09T20:57:00.000-06:002011-01-09T20:57:45.623-06:00Feeling content, and life is full...I want to be a Blog Mom. One of those ladies that I follow on blogs that take tremendous photographs, do creative crafts, have a house that is totally cute on every wall and every surface, have time and resources to do all those things, who decorate their houses for every holiday and who even will show their dirty laundry and dishes to the online world - but in a cute way... And they do it with 5 kids!<br />
<br />
But I'm not. I have 1 kid, and 1 on the way. I have a part-time job and freelance graphic design business, and a rental house next door that always needs fixing or raking or something. I have projects going all the time, but I don't take pretty pictures of them, and my husband would be glad forever if I finished them all and didn't start any new ones. :-) I have laundry in the dryer from today that has not been folded, dishes in the sink that I didn't want to clean, and dog slobber on the rug in the living room - and it's too cold to take it outside to wash it.<br />
<br />
But... do you want to know what I did today?<br />
I woke up and made muffins with my 2-year old daughter.<br />
We ate breakfast.<br />
We watched one of her "baby" videos.<br />
We made lunch together.<br />
We dressed up in our scarves, coats and mittens and played in the snow. (in Texas!)<br />
She took a nap.<br />
My friends came over and we watched LOST Season 6.<br />
My daughter woke up and we played in the snow... again.<br />
We came inside and had a "pool" party in the huge tub in our bathroom. Both of us.<br />
Bathing suits and all. And bubbles.<br />
She smiled the whole time and said, "I wuv you, mommy" about 10 times.<br />
We put jammies on and had breakfast for dinner. Toast and eggs. And pudding.<br />
Then we played with the dog til bedtime.<br />
Tucked her in with her books.<br />
<br />
So, what did I accomplish today? I didn't do any chores, or fun projects or crafts. I have nothing to show for today except some photos of us in the snow. (and bad ones, at that) My daughter probably won't remember anything we did today. She's only 2 1/2. <br />
<br />
But I will.Darciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12544619240764583334noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7257479135125016301.post-3125313351296164312011-01-03T09:01:00.000-06:002011-01-03T09:01:06.947-06:00Boy, oh boy!We are so excited to announce that Baby Lantz #2 is a boy! We had our sonogram last week and we're pretty sure we can say with 100% accuracy that it's a boy. (we won't post the indecent photos of that. :-) We are very excited and looking forward to a new chapter in our lives, complete with footballs, wrestling, sports, blue clothes and other boy-ish stuff. <br />
<br />
Here's our little guy!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkZ5rhhKMB4K0Xb_tfbnbjR3XRXv7yHP8UuCC9v8akpCQzs8VAIq3pPMVnR2t-NIC5QguvbizjnkHS-j4s0-WTdyb5vEz7cfOI-TkansFuFVsWEKa6mpskIPwbll-kYH644fSB13afiYst/s1600/sonobaby2001small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkZ5rhhKMB4K0Xb_tfbnbjR3XRXv7yHP8UuCC9v8akpCQzs8VAIq3pPMVnR2t-NIC5QguvbizjnkHS-j4s0-WTdyb5vEz7cfOI-TkansFuFVsWEKa6mpskIPwbll-kYH644fSB13afiYst/s400/sonobaby2001small.jpg" width="155" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3NK_ti9yeGbTBFFTE-hVBQsJiSHW3jfflhmT3Nkyya2nHufgx4ROtHSece9vnhF4aP6AzS4nAYfywXPN5N8fMK2a6HSWSwYZhvOj57apjYR0hoDSw1MzPriLXzEYfgmwKNqSWSZZMr84o/s1600/sonobaby2003small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3NK_ti9yeGbTBFFTE-hVBQsJiSHW3jfflhmT3Nkyya2nHufgx4ROtHSece9vnhF4aP6AzS4nAYfywXPN5N8fMK2a6HSWSwYZhvOj57apjYR0hoDSw1MzPriLXzEYfgmwKNqSWSZZMr84o/s320/sonobaby2003small.jpg" width="188" /></a></div>Darciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12544619240764583334noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7257479135125016301.post-8028000166841837332010-11-30T20:54:00.000-06:002010-11-30T20:54:56.956-06:00Pictures and Goings-OnI realize that we haven't posted many pictures lately... we haven't done much of anything lately, blog-wise. So, here are some fun ones...<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdBLDE8wZ4qZErrMsuVsKzhZYw-3UpUmYGzwAi0s1j7FEcd1v9bZh-jQI2fiyEp0JTyslRo8mlosDzenSwuLTBChzKBfA0s-Qkgy4gwmbrvff-2tTBCwwqR8ajtBgDgrGEq4dEsGbxJxgu/s1600/beater.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdBLDE8wZ4qZErrMsuVsKzhZYw-3UpUmYGzwAi0s1j7FEcd1v9bZh-jQI2fiyEp0JTyslRo8mlosDzenSwuLTBChzKBfA0s-Qkgy4gwmbrvff-2tTBCwwqR8ajtBgDgrGEq4dEsGbxJxgu/s320/beater.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heidi - Licking the beater after our first attempt at making<br />
ganache for Jenn's birthday cake. She liked it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgso8Aky8ifnVL7GUMYCtbbqJmmAmu1tDOJPH7JOtpZM4tF1X6BCcXHaY4zLM_YR3wBNutSgAyAEAPs9s6l600Pu4eAHWDdgue0yXVSQBsamEE_XoqWw_fu0vCDik6YsCz3UdmR62w5l_ml/s1600/tent.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgso8Aky8ifnVL7GUMYCtbbqJmmAmu1tDOJPH7JOtpZM4tF1X6BCcXHaY4zLM_YR3wBNutSgAyAEAPs9s6l600Pu4eAHWDdgue0yXVSQBsamEE_XoqWw_fu0vCDik6YsCz3UdmR62w5l_ml/s320/tent.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Latest activity - building a tent in Heidi's room<br />
with blankets.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHsN5-nywnZm5pSqgZUKsTD1zmfVmWlL4uW4gBDPbJ3KTlPB4c2QFi8qayJk_tGkpum6lrPoIiEf6xn5ib1_xiX3pc_a4NE8chgrxl9BmDzXhpQcS3A1s_kay16fyUKsb8cXdkIF1o8moR/s1600/CuriousGeorge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHsN5-nywnZm5pSqgZUKsTD1zmfVmWlL4uW4gBDPbJ3KTlPB4c2QFi8qayJk_tGkpum6lrPoIiEf6xn5ib1_xiX3pc_a4NE8chgrxl9BmDzXhpQcS3A1s_kay16fyUKsb8cXdkIF1o8moR/s320/CuriousGeorge.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thanksgiving - Curious George x 2.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwFwfs2Ol7n36lCQU0NbilTpa7oeU2XDULEfKWSj5ektNaUIUjcdR91y9HI6houvzooTfwB6E7lxHXEGtEsdsYUeVEFBWycvHwmyMWSUnyHJDdnAr_D2VGkMPXuJaxkIXU4ZzyfxIMAF4s/s1600/IzAsleep.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwFwfs2Ol7n36lCQU0NbilTpa7oeU2XDULEfKWSj5ektNaUIUjcdR91y9HI6houvzooTfwB6E7lxHXEGtEsdsYUeVEFBWycvHwmyMWSUnyHJDdnAr_D2VGkMPXuJaxkIXU4ZzyfxIMAF4s/s320/IzAsleep.jpg" width="228" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thanksgiving - Literally, mid-stride in Dusty's lap, Izzy face<br />
plants and falls dead asleep in his lap... face first in the couch.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNGXTnkOv2eyOn10ShwMBJVpuw5HWRVDtVqLNqg2HbCgwTY9ZkZ6R_juC8HFQkNBDTdD3yiNeSX3OzSgCO1wS4JkES-d8xA7kax-YXIBMrDToFkmG7aM6NL_BDax0-E8wk8xTEOoBJQ2KM/s1600/pillows.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNGXTnkOv2eyOn10ShwMBJVpuw5HWRVDtVqLNqg2HbCgwTY9ZkZ6R_juC8HFQkNBDTdD3yiNeSX3OzSgCO1wS4JkES-d8xA7kax-YXIBMrDToFkmG7aM6NL_BDax0-E8wk8xTEOoBJQ2KM/s320/pillows.jpg" width="145" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Baby's Room - I ordered these green cushions for our wooden rocking chair<br />
when Heidi was born, for those middle of the night feedings. They were cute and<br />
fuzzy but very flat. Cue fluffy old khaki pillow that doesn't match anything... steal his stuffing,<br />
re-stuff baby rocker pillows. One of the reasons Matt loves me, I think. Thrifty.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Darciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12544619240764583334noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7257479135125016301.post-13188510945840524262010-11-23T15:50:00.000-06:002010-11-23T15:50:13.558-06:00Busy... and ThankfulSo, it's been almost a month since our last post. It has been one of the busiest months of the year, so that would explain it. Matt had 2+ Forge-related trips, and I attempted a trip with my mom which, at the last minute, fell through so we have been gone a lot, and our times at home are playing catch up on housework, laundry, and Heidi-settling-back-in-at-home.<br />
<br />
We've had 2 birthday parties, 1 Forge movie night, dinner at my parents' house in Fort Worth, a trip to Billy Bob's, 3 doctor's appointments and a little toddler who has been very much a 2-year old along the way! To her credit, we've dragged Heidi back and forth between FW, Plano and Tyler quite a bit... and it's not even the holidays yet!<br />
<br />
Here are a few of the things that I'm thankful for, as we approach this season:<br />
1. My fantastic husband - Matt. He has taken care of me during the tired, grumpy, morning-sickness-filled, lazy, wiped out, and too busy times. I'm always thankful for him, but he has really shown me how much he loves me by how he has cared for me, our daughter, our house and in providing for our needs.<br />
<br />
2. A sweet little girl named Heidi, who keeps me smiling every day. Amidst the temper tantrums of 2-ness, the disobedience, and the messes, she has the cutest flirty smile, the prettiest blue eyes you'll ever see, and the cutest singing voice you ever hear. I'm so thankful that God has given her to us. The joy supersedes the trials!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFh4IUWJitU9YDMipEEzi-VAbSnfDXpF4FPO-GuCcLH6lBbSXdTWuADPPtUEvre2g1YhxMbXPoBz3_6CNy53RYl79ImNWaMKg2VGV-sfHx3vu1cGp2YTRimlTMa5IfdOSjvQ0rAs65y2N6/s1600/IMG_1861small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFh4IUWJitU9YDMipEEzi-VAbSnfDXpF4FPO-GuCcLH6lBbSXdTWuADPPtUEvre2g1YhxMbXPoBz3_6CNy53RYl79ImNWaMKg2VGV-sfHx3vu1cGp2YTRimlTMa5IfdOSjvQ0rAs65y2N6/s320/IMG_1861small.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hoping her ambitions reach a little higher than<br />
McDonald's, but for now, it's cute!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDvgbuVDAz3FjqrxLHF63mUPOZzRMmPbOCmZ6k8DbnCzXAFgwhmcecM_265sgL2LvUYrohEVm-yol_8N4FA1wlwvOmTunCJexkOr0LpxdqNPbn0mP-Oue3mrC1Xx6igaz3dSs9auUZ2NMo/s1600/HeidiBallPit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDvgbuVDAz3FjqrxLHF63mUPOZzRMmPbOCmZ6k8DbnCzXAFgwhmcecM_265sgL2LvUYrohEVm-yol_8N4FA1wlwvOmTunCJexkOr0LpxdqNPbn0mP-Oue3mrC1Xx6igaz3dSs9auUZ2NMo/s320/HeidiBallPit.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playing at DeeDee's house</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
3. A healthy Baby #2. It's been a trying 14+ weeks - I don't remember being this tired last time... but I didn't have a 2-year old last time I was pregnant! Children are a blessing from the Lord, and I'm trying to remember that daily even when I'm tired. Baby #2 is another sign of God's blessing to us, and we are so grateful.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj00W5RHp0kQ0QWj8DPQQpP4ZFDpTqSIA3rxLGW7gB27kZtMOU9htm6pTgsfx80JINj1iWTkPWs4aQmOlutHFpdFwtuhnqvSv2N0MrwWsrNVAB6o99D7ktqERzHKh-8AP_Bfdo5PzqeZWj0/s1600/sono002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj00W5RHp0kQ0QWj8DPQQpP4ZFDpTqSIA3rxLGW7gB27kZtMOU9htm6pTgsfx80JINj1iWTkPWs4aQmOlutHFpdFwtuhnqvSv2N0MrwWsrNVAB6o99D7ktqERzHKh-8AP_Bfdo5PzqeZWj0/s400/sono002.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now the size of a lemon!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
4. For a wonderful family (and in-laws). I love my family. I have 3 brothers - we all get along, we all love to spend time together, and my parents make their house a wonderful place for us all to gather for the holidays. My folks are a great example of a faithful godly couple that is still married after almost 39 years. My in-laws are the best too! Not only can my mother-in-law make the best apple pies in the world (seriously), but they are overly generous... with their time and their money. They have taken care of Heidi during some fun and some hard times lately, and are always willing to accommodate Matt and I to make our lives easier with a little kid and one on the way. My sister-in-law, Jodie, is wonderful too. She helped teach our Forge students about leadership in the medical field, babysits Heidi for me, and is a great best friend too (just like my other sister-in-laws!)<br />
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5. My friends here at Pine Cove and in Tyler... couldn't ask for a better community: Jenn, Jenny, Hannah and Amanda next door, Jeff & Charis on the other side next door, Ginger, Steph, Amanda, Christina, Brooke, Lori, Emily, Lauren, "other" Jenny, Forge students, media team, freelance friend Linda... and I'm just getting started!<br />
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6. I am most of all grateful that I don't have to pay the penalty for my own sin. Couldn't do it even if I wanted to. And who would want to? But Christ.<br />
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Grateful. Happy Thanksgiving!Darciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12544619240764583334noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7257479135125016301.post-67473197084166501762010-10-26T08:38:00.001-05:002010-10-26T08:50:40.735-05:00Two are better than one... right?We think so, but Heidi might not be ready to share her kingdom (and her grandparents) with a brother or sister. In any case, we're excited about adding another one to our family and we look forward to seeing our baby in May 2011!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Ttn-dYlqGuRK6riuA_zPQBKAoMeIQCMv7z36FRVVRnvV5whTJFXzfmpL9053g6UWm84sj6mt93csBnPAAs3esj3d1WOpH_hUnvjetcolGeKSuM3Zqlv10TtaqiYEFj0U8IhMwlz8YcF-/s1600/sono_small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Ttn-dYlqGuRK6riuA_zPQBKAoMeIQCMv7z36FRVVRnvV5whTJFXzfmpL9053g6UWm84sj6mt93csBnPAAs3esj3d1WOpH_hUnvjetcolGeKSuM3Zqlv10TtaqiYEFj0U8IhMwlz8YcF-/s400/sono_small.jpg" width="242" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(Heidi + One = Two. No, it's not twins. :)</div>Darciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12544619240764583334noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7257479135125016301.post-35882850374806468692010-08-28T21:09:00.003-05:002010-08-28T21:25:54.403-05:00A summer of creativity<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4iLCN87GFJvPOcOZ5z6f2rnCTQB0MN92JgyCn27rRFIjvJCQU6rDUgDmgknIruT2rZBcY_bJYjcUynQM2_6AUmx41eC0cYT6cHomxxtwIf_VAUZ-bGcvlJfuXJSHTnkoGVnvFyWfpdHHZ/s1600/LatestCrafts.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 286px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4iLCN87GFJvPOcOZ5z6f2rnCTQB0MN92JgyCn27rRFIjvJCQU6rDUgDmgknIruT2rZBcY_bJYjcUynQM2_6AUmx41eC0cYT6cHomxxtwIf_VAUZ-bGcvlJfuXJSHTnkoGVnvFyWfpdHHZ/s400/LatestCrafts.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510652092539686482" /></a><br />This summer has been great. Relaxed, fun and full of projects - which I love. Some of them needed to be done (house chores) and some I created to have an outlet for my creativity. I get in project moods... you know? Where I want to create, or decorate, or paint or build, or revamp something. Matt is patient to let me do those things - he even bought me a table saw for our anniversary. (Yes, for me, not himself.) I love it. He knows my need to have that outlet. His is Playstation or reading or writing/blogging. Mine is crafting. <div><br /></div><div>So, here are a few of the things we've been doing this summer.</div><div>1. My first attempt at a vegetable garden. Cucumbers and grape tomatoes were the easiest, along with herbs. From fresh picked in a bowl, to bruschetta with tomatoes and freshly picked basil, to chicken salad with fresh cucumbers and tomatoes, it's been a success. I'll try it again.</div><div><br /></div><div>2. Chalkboard table. Got the table for $3 on clearance at BB&B. Don't know why it was, the box was opened, but the pieces were all there. Bought chalkboard paint for $4 and voila. A $7 table for Heidi and her friends to color on. So far, impressed with the chalkboard paint...</div><div><br /></div><div>3. After 8 years of marriage and 3 hand-me-down dining room tables, we though we'd bite the bullet and get one we like. Tried long and hard to make an old antique door work for a table. Still have the door, still have the dream of using it. Maybe later. In the meantime, here's what we got. Seats 8. Glad to have it now that 25 (!) new Forge students are coming next Saturday. Thanks to Freelantz Design for the new table and even new settings and centerpiece!</div><div><br /></div><div>A friend decorated a hutch in her house. That inspired me to deco our shelves. The shelves inspired the desk area. The desk, the kitchen area... what's next? Any votes on what the next craft should be? 2 months to make a Halloween costume for Heidi...</div><div><br /></div>Darciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12544619240764583334noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7257479135125016301.post-48801073433970697002010-08-17T15:42:00.004-05:002010-09-20T15:06:32.639-05:00My 30-while-30 List<div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxvgKIyjZ1dbkhuiMD1oBWZ3Ys_yTaqtL6MrUps_24W5BBYraWojsTyUlsISxdL0a2AeJBrs-HDM0s9Tx_3Dxb1xYjBCx7CydY_f2UHzAfcM0HKXxDqPdL1-u-HDikToLgsX_kDogteRAg/s1600/30by30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxvgKIyjZ1dbkhuiMD1oBWZ3Ys_yTaqtL6MrUps_24W5BBYraWojsTyUlsISxdL0a2AeJBrs-HDM0s9Tx_3Dxb1xYjBCx7CydY_f2UHzAfcM0HKXxDqPdL1-u-HDikToLgsX_kDogteRAg/s320/30by30.jpg" /></a></div><br />
</div>I discovered this idea on one of my favorite "<a href="http://megduerksen.typepad.com/whatever/2009/10/my-list.html">mom blogs</a>," and thought I'd create one of my own. <br />
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</div><div>I like having goals. I don't actually check the list often enough to remind myself of all of them, but they're in the back of my head - much more concrete than if I hadn't written them down. The list gives me projects to do that I feel are worthwhile, so I'm not just spinning my wheels on "whatever" and wishing at the end of the year that I'd done something more meaningful.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div>Try it. I think coming up with the list was one of the most fun things... I should have put "make a list" on my list!</div><div><br />
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</div>Darciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12544619240764583334noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7257479135125016301.post-42691057718624535422010-08-13T16:19:00.002-05:002010-08-13T16:34:32.143-05:00Our Military...<div>We went to Kansas last weekend for a wedding. I have to say that the wedding was great. The bride was lovely and Matt and I can't be more excited for them as a couple.</div><div><br /></div><div>However, I was reminded of something just as impactful as we sat in the Wichita airport, waiting to fly back to Dallas. I guess Wichita is a small enough town that they still let loved ones come to the gate with you to see you off on your plane. I watched as a middle-aged man dressed in U.S. Army fatigues talked with his family - wife and two kids, probably ages 7 and 4. He carried a large backpack/duffle, the standard issue I assume. He hugged each of their necks, said a few words. When the time came, he boarded the plane early so I sat and watched his departure. He looked back at his wife and smiled. She picked up their 4-year old son and held him close. The 7-year old girl stood close at her side. The kids waved - Mommy probably told them to say goodbye. Then he disappeared into the tunnel to board the plane. </div><div><br /></div><div>I watched the wife as he rounded the corner, out of sight. She closed her eyes for a brief second, gathered her thoughts, gathered her children and headed out of the airport. I don't know if she was making a mental picture of him leaving, memorizing his face as he looked back at her, I don't know where he was going - to field training in Texas or Alabama, or to Iraq or Afghanistan. I don't know if he'll be in harm's way, or immediately anyway. I don't know if he'll come back or see his family again. I don't know his rank, I wish I did. I'll have to have my brothers teach me how to recognize it on a uniform. </div><div><br /></div><div>I do know his last name is Rogers (on his uniform), and he's serving our country in some capacity, and he had to leave his family for some amount of time to do it.</div><div><br /></div><div>So, I write this because I am thankful. And I want to remember to pray for officer Rogers, whatever his title may be. And his wife and two kids. And for his safe return. And for the Lord to strengthen them all. I'll add my cousin Doug Jones in there too, in Afghanistan. And my brothers as they serve in the Air Force. </div><div><br /></div><div>A friend posted the link below on Facebook, which reminded me to write. You don't have to watch the whole thing, but you'll get the idea after a couple of minutes. Fathers really are special.</div><div><br /></div><a href="http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DuSMlIM9zLio%26feature%3Dyoutu.be&h=a4d5e">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSMlIM9zLio&feature=youtu.be</a><div><br /></div><div>(disclaimer: I have no idea what the "verse" reference is at the end of the video, if you get that far. :-)</div>Darciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12544619240764583334noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7257479135125016301.post-39035811076048477552010-07-24T16:17:00.000-05:002010-07-24T16:17:59.854-05:00Heidi Sing-a-LongWe'd love it if Heidi would sing for everyone on command, but she typically gets pretty shy. Luckily we caught her singing in the back seat while we were driving into town and thought you guys might need a listen. We were bummed we didn't have our video camera, but thankful for the voice recorder on Matt's phone! Enjoy Heidi's rendition of the ABC's, the Itsy Bitsy Spider and God Made Me.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz6Qk4e1pFKHdZ3o6G9yIHqiF2EI9nKeoKmC7CWGPjsfbMxBFroLRYo8boAG-mW2R6y-8WbDeghmB91EsVl2Q' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7257479135125016301.post-61344121640972402162010-07-20T20:33:00.002-05:002010-07-20T20:37:11.348-05:00Ahhhh.... summer time.Just a quick note. I'm enjoying our summer a lot. A friend and I talked last night about how summer just <i>feels</i> different even though she still works all day and I still work at home and take care of Heidi full time. You just feel like it's vacation time even though everything else is pretty much the same. <div><br /></div><div>Case in point - we went to Braum's for ice cream tonight: Matt, Heidi, Jenn and I. We came home and Matt started the sprinkler to watering the lawn in the front. Heidi decided to play in it a little bit (she's been scared before)... she liked it this time so we let her play til her clothes were soaked and it was 30 minutes past her bedtime. She had a blast. </div><div><br /></div><div>Ice cream cones and playing in the sprinkler. That's summertime for ya'. Love it.</div>Darciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12544619240764583334noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7257479135125016301.post-79390682809386435362010-06-21T19:29:00.004-05:002010-06-21T19:44:49.039-05:00Just a quick video for dad... Heidi the HairdresserHey there! I know we just got to chat with you today (yay!) but here's a video for you for tomorrow. We love you!<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzgcNhP0sRXpHmqIBSC8Wug5fGKRLC_LrxDrUnuRhyTgr_x4rmR-GqclWpJD4EkRXSEV1YD0gLu6qjbv5PYnA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Darciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12544619240764583334noreply@blogger.com0